Christopher O'Sullivan (Cork South West, Fianna Fail)
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87. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide an update of the implementation of the national development plan for the period 2021 to 2030, specifically in relation to national strategic objective, NSO, 8 of the plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56445/22]

Christopher O'Sullivan (Cork South West, Fianna Fail)
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Could the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform provide an update on the implementation of the national development plan, specifically concerning NSO 8, which refers to the transition to a climate-neutral society?

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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At the outset, it should be noted that my Department, in carrying out its role in co-ordinating the national development plan, NDP, review, does not consider the merit of individual projects or sectoral policy strategies, as this is primarily a matter for individual Departments and agencies.

National strategic objective, NSO, 8 seeks the transition to a climate-neutral and climate-resilient society. The next ten years are critical in order to address the climate crisis, and we have significantly stepped up our climate ambition by committing to reduce our overall greenhouse gas emissions by 51% by the end of the decade, and to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

This is set out in the new Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021. The Act established a new legally binding framework for climate change, including the adoption of a series of three economy-wide, five-year carbon budgets and sectoral emissions ceilings, which set the maximum limit on greenhouse gas emissions for each sector of our economy. In addition, the Act provides for the climate action plan to be updated every year. The latest version of the plan for 2023 is expected to be brought to the Government in the coming weeks and it will be aligned with our carbon budgets and sectoral emissions ceilings.

The sectoral strategies for flood risk management are outlined in the Government's climate change sectoral adaptation plan for flood risk management. These strategies play a critical role in identifying the goals and priorities for the sector and are therefore critical in informing the investment priorities set out in the NDP.

Over the period to 2030, an additional €5 billion of the expected €9.5 billion in additional carbon tax receipts will be invested in energy efficiency. In terms of strategic investment priorities for the energy sector, this includes supporting the delivery of offshore renewable energy, retrofitting up to 500,000 homes and the installation of 600,000 heat pumps. Specific projects include the Celtic interconnector, which when completed in 2026, will be Ireland's largest electricity interconnector. I will add further details in a moment.

Christopher O'Sullivan (Cork South West, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Minister for the response. He alluded to many of the measures that will be used to reduce emissions and achieve climate neutrality. One of the key ways that we can transition to a climate-neutral society is through active travel and the provision of walkways and cycleways in particular. Unfortunately, we saw an alarming statistic in 2021, which was that 56% of funding for active travel in rural areas remained unspent. Is the Department monitoring the expenditure of the various local authorities on active travel? Are local authorities being proactive in spending this funding? Could the Minister refer in his response to Cork County Council and whether it is reaching its targets on active travel expenditure? I would appreciate if he could go further and tell me if whether west Cork is meeting its targets as well.

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The important point to make is that the funding that has been provided represents an enormous opportunity for local authorities all over Ireland. The Deputy is correct in saying that there have been underspends across some local authority areas. To be fair, it can take time to build up the capacity to deliver certain projects and to get them through the various planning approval processes. The allocation of €360 million every year will support 1,000 km of new and improved walking and cycling infrastructure by 2025, as well as additional investment in greenways. My Department is working closely with the Department of Transport in particular on the roll-out of the funding. As the Deputy can imagine, it is in touch on a regular basis with all of the individual local authorities around the country. I do not have a breakdown of the performance by local authority versus budget, but as the Deputy is aware, there is within the overall management of capital expenditure an opportunity to carry forward certain unspent funds. It is about having a pipeline of projects that can be delivered over several years. This is a fantastic opportunity to improve our walking and cycling infrastructure.

Christopher O'Sullivan (Cork South West, Fianna Fail)
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If possible, I would like to see a breakdown, especially of Cork County Council. It has achieved great things especially in building social houses. I am interested to see what its delivery on active travel is like, especially in the western division.

I know the Minister cannot comment on individual projects, but the NDP does refer to a project to deliver a safe walking and cycling access between Clonakilty, my home town, and Inchydoney, probably our most famous tourism destination. Currently, there is no safe pedestrian or cycling access. A dedicated group has been formed which has put its weight behind this project. It has approached landowners, 99% of whom are fully behind this project. The entire public are behind the project, but we are finding it difficult to get the local authority to buy into it, and apply for funding for it. Could the Minister's Department do anything to give a nudge to local authorities to get behind projects like this one that will deliver safe cycling access to a wonderful beach like Inchydoney?

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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It certainly is a wonderful beach. It is a real gem in west Cork. I am happy to work with Deputy O'Sullivan and the elected members of Cork County Council to advance the project because it would be hugely exciting if we were in a position to develop a safe pedestrian and cycling access between Clonakilty and Inchydoney.

The returns that are made by local authorities are available, so we will get access to the records. It is important that everyone is held accountable for their use or non-use of public money, as the case may be. As I said at the outset, this is a tremendous opportunity provided through the funding available under the NDP and it is important that local authorities all over Ireland make maximum use of it.